ILB · Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Minnesota Vikings · 61 graded snaps
Replacement
Dennis finished near replacement level as a flurry of clutch fourth-quarter run stops compensated for play-action vulnerabilities and a costly missed tackle on punt coverage.
Special teams5933Coverage5615Run defense7112Pass rush561
The full breakdown
Dennis bolstered his overall grade via a strong 71 run defense mark, driven by an exceptional late sequence where he cleanly filled the A-gap at Q4 1:32 (+1.0) and shot the B-gap for a one-yard stop at Q4 1:22 (+1.5). However, he struggled with coverage discipline (56 grade), repeatedly biting on play fakes at Q1 14:54 (-0.5) and Q4 1:39 (-0.5) to surrender completions behind him. His grade was further dragged down on special teams at Q1 9:00 (-1.5), when he missed a diving tackle unblocked in space that triggered an 86-yard punt return touchdown.
Strengths
Downhill gap penetration
Run recognition between the tackles
Taking on lead blockers
Weaknesses
Susceptible to play-action fakes
Open-field tackling in space
Navigating wash on lateral flows
Plays that moved the grade
-1.5Q1 09:00, 4th & 5Came down unblocked as the right wing but whiffed on a diving tackle at the 20-yard line, springing an 86-yard punt return touchdown.
+1.5Q4 01:22, 3rd & 7Read the play cleanly and rapidly shot the B-gap to stuff an inside zone run for a one-yard gain.
+1Q4 01:32, 1st & 10Quickly diagnosed the run and filled the A-gap cleanly to make the primary tackle on a two-yard rush.
Every graded snap · 13 wins or losses, 48 routine
-0.5Q1 14:54 · 1 & 10 · CoverageInfluenced by the run fake, failing to get enough depth to close the throwing window over the middle.
-0.5Q1 14:11 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseGets walled off by the climbing left tackle, failing to fill his gap.
+0.5Q1 12:55 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseSteps up to fill the A-gap, taking on the lead block from the fullback and clogging the lane.
-1.5Q1 09:00 · 4 & 5 · Special teamsCame down unblocked but missed a diving tackle on the returner at the 20-yard line, which sprang the big return.
-0.5Q1 06:44 · Special teamsGets pinned inside by the blocker, losing his lane.
-0.5Q3 12:21 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseGets caught in the wash behind the defensive line and fails to flow over the top to the ball.
+0.5Q3 11:36 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseQuickly diagnoses the run and fills the gap aggressively to assist on the tackle.
Q4 13:35 · 3 & 5 · Pass rushBlitzes the A-gap but gets completely stoned by the running back.
+1Q4 09:02 · Special teamsRuns down the middle, takes on the lead blocker, sheds him to the inside, and makes a solid tackle on the returner at the 30.
-0.5Q4 01:39 · 1 & 10 · CoverageBites hard on the run fake, losing depth and awareness of the crossing routes behind him.
+1Q4 01:32 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseReads the run quickly, fills the A-gap cleanly as the center fails to climb, and makes the primary tackle on the running back for a short gain.
+1.5Q4 01:22 · 3 & 7 · Run defenseExcellent read and trigger; shoots the B-gap cleanly to meet the running back in the hole for the stop.
+0.5Q4 00:33 · Special teamsExecutes a good seal block on Pace, washing him inside to help form the wall.